Toss the Bouquet. Keep the Love.

Officially, I'm Catholic and Jake is Jewish.  Neither of us have practiced in years.  And, neither of us is crazy about the idea of standing up in front of a crowd of a hundred people staring at us.  So we are planning a fairly brief, non-religious ceremony.  We've still tried to make it meaningful and special though, and I think it's going to be quite nice.

• Processional (Music: Somewhere Over theRainbow by Israel Kamakwiwo'Ole)

• Bride Entrance (Music: Make You Feel My Love by Billy Joel)
  

• Welcome

• Giving in Marriage:  Erica comes here today of her own will to join with Jacob in marriage.  May I now ask, who comes forward to stand with Erica & offer blessings to this union?  Answer:  Her Mother and I Do.

• Reading      A Beautiful Life Together
  "Reflections on Marriage for the Bride and Groom"
  
  Let love be your shelter,
  For at times the world is a noisy and confusing place.
  So make a home that is a haven, a peaceful place where you can
  Listen to you hearts and savor the comfortable closeness you share.
  
  No matter how busy your days may be, make time for yourselves.
  Hold hands.  Unwind.  Surprise each other.
  Find little chances every day to show you’re grateful
  To be partners, to be friends, to be married.
  
  Life is not perfect.  You will make mistakes.
  But each time you meet life’s challenges together,
  You will grow wiser, stronger and surer of your love.
  
  Cherish your yesterday.
  They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life.
  Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs
  Whenever you look back. 
  
  Look forward, too.  Dream together.  Plan together.
  Make promises to keep.  Believe in your tomorrows,
  Because tomorrows are what forever is made of.
  
  To make love last, put each other first
  That is the way to make a beautiful life together,
  The kind of life you both deserve so very much.

• Definition of Marriage

• Question of Intent:   (Name), do you take (Name) as your (husband/wife) and your one true love?  Do you promise to treasure (his/her) friendship and love (him/her) today, tomorrow and forever?  Do you promise to trust and honor (him/her), laugh and cry with (him/her)?  Do you promise to stand by (him/her), through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy as long as you both shall live?   Answer: I d
  

• Wedding Vows:  (Name), I take you to be my lawfully wedded (husband/wife). Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.

•  Blessing of the Hands ·        Please face each other and hold hands.  These hands that you hold are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
  These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
  These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
  These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times, and will embrace you with joy to celebrate your victories.
  These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, both tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
  These are the hands that will give you support as you chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
  These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
  And, lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for each other, still giving each other the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
  May these hands continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, & devoted to one another.  May Erica & Jacob see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter, & guide. 

• Exchange of Rings:  This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your (husband/wife). With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours.

• Blessing

• Tradition of Breaking of the Glass

• Pronouncement

• First Kiss

• Breaking of the Glass

• Introduction

• Recessional (Music: Lovers in Japan by Coldplay)